
19-20 October 2023
Brisbane, QLD or Live-stream
Change 2023 conference is for anyone focussed on achieving measurable change that benefits people, communities, and the planet.

Be Empowered and Enabled to Enact More Change
Welcome to Change 2023, an annual conference brought to you by Social Marketing @ Griffith. This conference is for practitioners, professionals, researchers and experts with an interest in making change happen. Join us for two days of learning, networking, and inspiration as we explore the latest insights and best practices for achieving measurable change that benefits people, communities, and the planet.


Two days of speakers, workshops, and
building connections
Change 2023 features a diverse line-up of speakers, panel discussions, and workshops covering a range of topics, including:
- Social marketing
- Health behaviour change
- Sustainability and climate action
- Social inclusion
- Corporate social responsibility
- Education and training
You’ll hear from industry leaders and experts who will share their insights and expertise. Speakers will share their stories, helping you to understand how you can create and sustain positive health, environmental, and social change. You'll also network with like-minded individuals, build relationships, and explore new ideas and approaches.
You'll learn practical strategies and techniques that you can take away and apply to your work and projects. You'll also gain a deeper understanding of behaviour change theory and its real-world applications.
Register now to secure your spot for Change 2023. Join us on 19-20 October 2023 either online or in Brisbane at the South Bank campus, Griffith University. Take advantage of this opportunity to be part of a community of change agents and learn from the best in the industry.
Meet our Change 2023 Speakers
Six speaker sessions over two days. Hear from world-leading change agents, marketers, scientists, researchers, practitioners, directors, and CEOs with a track record of creating and sustaining positive health, environmental and social change.

Executive General Manager, Integrated Accessible Transport Network
Department of Transport and Main Roads

Director, Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability
Griffith University
Change 2023 Features
Change 2023 Registration
Register now to secure your spot in person or online. Get set for an engaging and informative conference that will leave you feeling recharged to keep making a difference.
In-person
Full 2-day Conference Registration

Two days of speaker sessions

A choice of two workshops


Full catering across both days

Access to speaker session recordings**
General
$869
Government/Non-profit
$769
Student
$669
In-person
1-day only Conference Registration

Selected day of speaker sessions

A choice of one workshop

Networking function (optional to add)

Full catering for the day

Access to speaker session recordings**
General
$539
Government/Non-profit
$439
Student
$339
Online
Interactive
Live-stream Registration

Two days of speaker sessions live-streamed

Does not include workshops

Network with online attendees

Participate in speaker sessions Q&As

Different time zones? Register for speaker session recordings**
General
$205
Government/Non-profit
$155
Student
$155
*All prices exclude GST and will be added at checkout. Student registrations must present a valid student ID at the conference. Cancellations received up to 22 September 2023 are refundable. Cancellations after that are subject to the entire conference fee. Please note that if you do not cancel and do not attend, you are subject to the total cost. For registration type definitions, click on the ⓘ icons located above. **All registrants will receive an emailed link to Change 2023 speaker recordings within a week post-conference.
I was so inspired by the conference. The range of speakers, the diversity of people attending, and their overall passion for change.
Change 2022 delegate
The breadth of topics across multiple sectors, as well as ample opportunities to talk with both practitioners and academics in an informal setting, are key strengths.
Change 2019 delegate
I loved that we all had the same conference experience.
Change 2018 delegate



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Contact details
socialmarketing@griffith.edu.au
Business 3 (N63)
Nathan campus, Griffith University
170 Kessels Rd
Nathan, Queensland, 4111
Australia
Stay connected
Make an enquiry
About Omer Soker:
Omer joined Charitable Recycling Australia as CEO in March 2018, following his expertise as an association strategist and his passion for social, environmental and economic impact. He is the author of ‘The Future of Associations’; a 6-step roadmap for membership organisations and has led and consulted to a wide range of Not-For-Profit boards. Omer is a keynote speaker on strategy, innovation and engagement, as well as business ethics and organisational trust. Omer has held senior management roles in global corporations with $32 million in P&L responsibility and expertise in the retail, homewares, fashion and online sectors.
Change 2023 topic:
Details coming soon.

Prof Elizabeth Kendall
Director, Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability
Griffith University
About Prof Elizabeth Kendall:
Professor Elizabeth Kendall is a rehabilitation psychologist and Director of Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability research alliance. Elizabeth has run collaborative research programs for over 30 years, has published more than 200 papers, attracted over $70 million in research grants and consultancies, and has designed and managed major projects focused on disability, chronic disease, and rehabilitation with a range of populations and communities.
The discussion panel that Elizabeth is on is scheduled for Session 4 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Session 4: Discussion panel plus Q&A
Nothing About Us Without Us
Learn about the challenges change makers have experienced in their decades of fighting for inclusion. This panel will share the barriers they’ve faced in physical access, sport, education, and work. They will show how storytelling and breaking down silos have enabled inclusion but will remind us there is a long way to go.

About Dr Jessica Harris:
Dr Jess Harris is a Darkinjung woman who uses social marketing and behavioural science to change eating practices in workplace institutional settings. Her current work focuses on design, implementation and evaluation of behaviour change programs that focus on improving people’s health and wellbeing. She has led projects to increase breakfast consumption for the Australian Defence Force.
Jessica's talk:
Mapping Theory on Interventions for Better Outcomes: The TCSA Process
Theories tell us the factors that change behaviours. Theory is meant to provide a roadmap for practitioners to follow and should aim to build theories through replication. To do this, precise measurements or replicable tools are needed in marketing science. The Theory Sorting Card Activity (TSCA) is a process that provides a methodology that researchers can use to conduct expert reviews. Dr Harris will explain how the TCSA is developed through quantitative and qualitative strategies to apply to inventions using previous case studies to enhance theory application through sustainable outcome-driven practices.
Jessica's talk is scheduled for Session 6 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
About Maria Raciti:
Professor Maria Raciti (Kalkadoon-Thaniquith/Bwgcolman) is a passionate social marketer whose research interests are at the intersection of educational equality and Indigenous peoples. Maria is Co-Director of the UniSC Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre and Co-Leader of the Education and Economies Theme in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures.
Change 2023 topic:
A Social Marketers Guide to Being Visibly Reflexive
Reflexivity is vital for effective social marketing. However, the persistent calls for social marketers to engage in more reflexive practices suggest that we are not doing it well. Most social marketers are reflexive, but this reflexivity is not always systematic and visible in our projects and outputs. This presentation provides guidance and tools as to how to embed visible reflexivity in social marketing practice.
About Sara Isaac:
A veteran social marketing practitioner and behavioural scientist, Sara Isaac is the chief strategist at Marketing for Change and an adjunct professor of social marketing for George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health. Sara specialises in infusing behavioural science theory and practice into behaviour change campaigns that work in the real world. Her clients include the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AARP, and Behavioral Health System Baltimore. Sara holds a bachelor’s in International Relations from the University of California at Davis, a master’s degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, and a master’s in Behavioral Science from the London School of Economics.
Sara's talk:
Hope, Empowerment and Mental Health: A Resilience-based Approach to Crisis Prevention
Are you struggling? At-risk? In crisis? Are you traumatized by ACES? Suffering from mental health stigma? For people experiencing mental health concerns, these are the wrong questions to ask. Across a decade of social marketing interventions in mental health, research by Marketing for Change (M4C) has found that asset- and resilience-based approaches empower help-seeking and support a courageous self-narrative while clinical language and top-down attempts at empathy can backfire, labelling people as “victims,” undermining self-efficacy for healing, and unintentionally reinforcing stigma. M4C Chief Strategist Sara Isaac will share research findings and project outcomes from three social marketing interventions, including current work to promote the 988 mental health helplines in central Maryland in the United States.
Sara's talk is scheduled for Session 1 on Day 1: Thursday, October 19 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
About Dr Taylor Willmott:
Dr Taylor Willmott is an award-winning researcher with expertise in behavioural science, economics, social marketing, and human-centered design. Her research focuses on developing and advancing theory-driven, evidence-based, and human-centered methods, frameworks, and models to help solve some of society’s most pressing problems. Notably, Taylor co-authored the ten Social Marketing Theory Development Goals, created the TITE Four Step Theory Application Process, and formulated the MATE Taxonomy of participatory design. She has been involved in the planning, co-creation, design, implementation, and evaluation of several government, non-government, not-for-profit, and industry-partnered projects across a variety of settings (e.g., ageing, obesity, chronic disease, alcohol, and violence). Taylor is driven to ensure that research is accessible, translatable, and scalable. Her mission is to educate and empower practitioners, policymakers, and citizens alike to find new ways to work together in the interests of society and the planet.
Taylor's talk:
Details coming soon.
Taylor's talk is scheduled for Session 6 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Option 1
Using Behavioural Determinants to Supercharge Your Social Marketing Strategy
Ask an academic, and they will tell you that theory is a foundational component of social marketing interventions. Ask a practitioner, and they’ll admit that theory is often an afterthought if it is used at all.
Why this disconnect?
One reason is that theories are often poorly understood or clumsily applied. Another is that some go-to theories, like the Theory of Planned Behaviour or the Transtheoretical Model of Change, fail to address the intention-behaviour gap. Learn how Marketing for Change (M4C) has developed a Behavioural Determinants Framework that simplifies the application of social marketing theory in behavioural interventions.
M4C Chief Strategist Sara Isaac will share three case studies that demonstrate how to incorporate behavioural determinants into your research and strategy planning to increase the effectiveness of social marketing campaigns.
Participants will learn:
- How to explain the intention-behaviour gap and how it can derail social marketing campaigns
- How behavioural determinants can be used as a shortcut for developing better “Products” in the 4Ps Marketing Mix
- How behavioural determinants were leveraged in case studies of three successful social marketing campaigns
- Key research questions to ask to uncover these hidden motivators of behaviour
Presented by
A veteran social marketing practitioner and behavioural scientist, Sara Isaac is the chief strategist at Marketing for Change and an adjunct professor of social marketing for George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health. Sara specialises in infusing behavioural science theory and practice into behaviour change campaigns that work in the real world. Her clients include the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AARP, and Behavioral Health System Baltimore. Sara holds a bachelor’s in International Relations from the University of California at Davis, a master’s degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, and a master’s in Behavioral Science from the London School of Economics.
Option 3
Theory Driven Practice: Learning How to Put the Puzzle Pieces Together
Current levels and quality of theory use in the behavioural and social sciences is weak. In the absence of rigorous theory application and clear reporting, establishing an evidence base that can be reliably drawn upon to deliver beneficial change will not be possible. This interactive workshop will provide participants with the knowledge and skills to increase their currents levels and quality of theory use. Structured evidence-based guidance will be provided to support participants in this process.
The workshop will be facilitated by Dr. Taylor Willmott and Dr. Jess Harris. In the first part of the workshop, Dr. Willmott will take participants through the Theory Selection, Interactive Schematisation, Theory Testing, and Explicitly Reporting of Theory Use (TITE) four step theory application process. Participants will be challenged to consider what role behaviour change theory plays in building an evidence base of what works. Practical guidelines for the selection, implementation, testing, and reporting of theory use will be provided. In the second part of the workshop, Dr Harris will introduce the Theory Card Sorting Activity (TCSA). Participants will be tasked with assessing their current understanding of theoretical constructs (drivers of change) and associated behaviour change techniques via a real-world case study. At the end of the workshop, participants will have acquired a more nuanced, practical understanding of behaviour change theory.
Participants will learn:
- The role of theory in building an evidence base of what works
- Methods to support theory application including the TITE process and TCSA
- Guidelines for the selection, implementation, testing, and reporting of theory use
- Practical considerations for applying theories within behaviour change campaigns, interventions, and programs
Presented by
Dr Taylor Willmott is an award-winning researcher with expertise in behavioural science, economics, social marketing, and human-centered design. Her research focuses on developing and advancing theory-driven, evidence-based, and human-centered methods, frameworks, and models to help solve some of society’s most pressing problems. Notably, Taylor co-authored the ten Social Marketing Theory Development Goals, created the TITE Four Step Theory Application Process, and formulated the MATE Taxonomy of participatory design. She has been involved in the planning, co-creation, design, implementation, and evaluation of several government, non-government, not-for-profit, and industry-partnered projects across a variety of settings (e.g., ageing, obesity, chronic disease, alcohol, and violence). Taylor is driven to ensure that research is accessible, translatable, and scalable. Her mission is to educate and empower practitioners, policymakers, and citizens alike to find new ways to work together in the interests of society and the planet.

Dr Jess Harris is a Darkinjung woman who uses social marketing and behavioural science to change eating practices in workplace institutional settings. Her current work focuses on design, implementation and evaluation of behaviour change programs that focus on improving people’s health and wellbeing. She has led projects to increase breakfast consumption for the Australian Defence Force.
Option 5
Co-designing Implementation Enhancement Plans for Behaviour Change
Implementation science seeks to ensure that evidence-based practices and research are used regularly. Even though we understand the importance of implementation science, it can be challenging to apply it in real-world situations.
This workshop offers practical guidelines for developing an implementation enhancement plan to aid in the successful adoption of evidence-based practices. Participants will learn a co-designed approach using a case study, discussing design and implementation issues, enablers, and barriers with strategies for addressing each.
Through a mix of PowerPoint presentations and small group interactive work, participants will learn the skills and techniques involved in the design and implementation of implementation enhancement plans. By adopting such plans, organisations can better guide the adoption of evidence-based practices and promote ongoing service improvement.
Participants will learn:
- The value and purpose of investing in and developing theory-driven implementation enhancement plans
- The participatory co-design approach and processes involved in developing such plans
- The steps and stages involved in constructing a theory-driven implementation enhancement plan
- Lessons learned including considerations and pitfalls to avoid
Presented by

Prof Joy Parkinson
Associate Dean (Research and Enterprise)
Australian Catholic University (ACU)

Networking function
All attendees of Change 2023 are invited to a networking evening. The event will be at The Ship Inn's private Queenslander-style verandah, which offers a lovely outdoor view of South Bank. The Ship Inn is conveniently located within walking distance of the Change 2023 conference venue. Enjoy the included drinks and canapes as you network with fellow attendees and keynote speakers.
Previous attendees have praised this event as one of the Change conferences' most enjoyable and engaging aspects. We are thrilled to offer it again for 2023.

Thursday 19 October
6 pm (AEST)
The Ship Inn Function Room,
South Bank campus, Griffith University
This event is included in the full 2-day conference registration. Optional to add to the 1-day conference registration for $55 per attendee.*
For any questions, please email socialmarketing@griffith.edu.au
*Price excludes GST and will be added at checkout. Cancellations received up to 22 September 2023 are refundable. Cancellations after that are subject to the networking function fee. Please note that if you do not cancel and do not attend, you are subject to the total cost.

Enjoy full catering at Change 2023
All attendees of Change 2023 will receive morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea on both days of the event. There will be a range of healthy options, dietary choices, and expertly made-drinks by a barista throughout the conference. Kindly ensure that you provide your dietary requirements when registering for Change 2023.
For any questions, please email socialmarketing@griffith.edu.au

Change 2023 venue
Change 2023 conference will take place at the South Bank campus, Griffith University, in South East Queensland's sunny city of Brisbane.
Building S05, 2.04
South Bank campus, Griffith University
226 Grey Street, South Bank QLD 4101
Change 2023 location

South Bank, Brisbane
South Bank is Brisbane’s premier lifestyle and cultural destination. Located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River, its 17 hectares of lush parklands, world-class eateries, stunning river views and hundreds of delightful events all year round make it the perfect place to relax and unwind.

A special group rate is available at Mantra South Bank to attendees of the Change 2023 conference, subject to availability. The discount will apply for any room type travelling between 17/10/2023 – 22/10/2023 when booked before 01/10/2023.
To book and receive 10% off all online rates, visit Mantra Hotels and follow these steps:
- Select the Region and Property, your Travel Dates and the Number of People travelling and hit SEARCH.
- Select Change Search – at the top of the page.
- Input Promo Code SMG (case sensitive) in the Promo Box and hit SEARCH again. You will see the discount applied to the BAR Rate.
- Select the room type you wish to book and hit BOOK NOW to proceed to the payment screen.
- Fill in all required details to confirm your booking and hit COMPLETE BOOKING.
- You will receive an email confirmation once all details have been processed.
Once the booking is confirmed, it can be accessed via My Bookings on the same website by logging in using the reservation number on your confirmation and the surname on the booking. Please contact Mantra Hotels if you have any questions.
*Please note that promotion codes are only valid for bookings made online; rooms are subject to availability and will require full prepayment. Bookings will also be subject to any minimum night stay restrictions as listed on the website. Online Terms and Conditions apply to these bookings. Read the full terms and conditions here.

Travel and transport
The journey time between Brisbane Airport (BNE) and South Bank is around 40 minutes. There are several car parks in and around South Bank and plenty of public transport options, including bus, train, CityCat and ferry. If you require disabled access, check out Visit Brisbane's accessibility page.

Places to eat at South Bank, Brisbane
South Bank has four key dining precincts, each with its own distinct personality. Little Stanley Street and Grey Street are back-to-back, pulsing with casual dining and cafes; the Arbour View Cafe serves delicious takeaway fare; Stanley Street Plaza has a mix of relaxed cafes and bars; and River Quay is fine dining at its best. For a complete list of restaurants, cafes, bars and ice creameries at South Bank, head to Visit Brisbane's dining guide.
For any questions, please email socialmarketing@griffith.edu.au

Can’t make it to Change 2023 in person? Join us online!
Experience the Change 2023 conference from the comfort of your office or home. Watch all speaker sessions across both conference days, participate in Q&As and network with other online attendees.
Unable to watch live due to time zone differences? Still register to get access to the recordings of the speaker sessions a few days after Change 2023. All Change 2023 online and in-person registrants will receive an emailed link to the speaker session recordings post-conference.
About Brian Pinkman:
Brian Pinkman is currently the National Environmental and Sustainability Manager at Symal Infrastructure, a construction company focusing on major infrastructure projects. Brian has worked in this area for over 10 years proactively driving change within organisations to raise the bar to achieve environmental excellence. Brian is also the chair person for the Technical Advisory Panel at Plastic Oceans Australasia. This panel raise awareness to implement change which helps eliminate plastic and other waste streams from our waterways through R&D projects.
The discussion panel that Brian is on is scheduled for Session 5 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Session 5: Discussion panel plus Q&A
No Time To Waste
For too long, our planet has been taken for granted. Join us for an extension of Plastics Oceans Australasia’s ‘No Time To Waste’ series, where experts from government, construction, and health sectors discuss successful behaviour change programs, challenges, and lessons learned. Engage in the Q&A to discuss how Australia is reducing waste and creating a sustainable future.
About Elisabeth Spits:
Elisabeth heads up the research and strategy at Brisbane City Council’s Waste and Resource Recovery Branch. She is an expert in behavioural economics, stakeholder engagement, strategy development, and leads efforts to transition Brisbane towards a circular economy. She has 20 years of experience in Australia and the UK, having worked on a wide range of complex government challenges to improve public policy, programs, and service delivery by bringing the science of behaviour into critical decision-making.
Elisabeth obtained her behavioural economics, management degrees and post-grad studies at Monash University BehaviourWorks and QUT, is IAP2 qualified, and is a certified member of the Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists.
Elisabeth's talk:
A Transition to a Circular Economy for Food
A transition to a circular economy must involve tackling food waste. Food waste costs us all. The average Australian household wastes approximately $3,800 per year from food thrown away (1 in 5 grocery bags), and when it's sent to landfill, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25x more powerful than CO2.
Preventing all this food waste is a monumental challenge that affects everyone in the food value chain, from farm to fork. Along this food chain, households waste more food than any other link along the chain.
So how do we reduce food waste in the home? Hear from Liz Spits at Brisbane City Council on the behaviourally designed Save Food Save Money Challenge, which forms part of the Love Food Hate Waste program. Behavioural science, Brisbane food waste data, and primary and secondary research were all applied in designing this city-wide behaviour change program.
Elisabeth's talk is scheduled for Session 2 on Day 1: Thursday, October 19 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.

Professor Elizabeth Kendall
Director, Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability
Griffith University
About Prof Elizabeth Kendall:
Professor Elizabeth Kendall is a rehabilitation psychologist and the Director of the newly established Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability research initiative at Griffith University. Elizabeth has run collaborative research programs for over 30 years, has published more than 200 papers, attracted over $70 million in research grants and consultancies, and has designed and managed major projects focused on disability, chronic disease and rehabilitation with a range of populations and communities. She is focused on bringing together researchers, people with disability, practitioners, and industry to improve the lives of people with disability. The research she drives aims to improve the precision, personalisation and innovation that underpins rehabilitation, education and disability services.
Change 2023 topic:
Details coming soon.
About Luke van der Beeke:
Luke is a purpose-driven social entrepreneur and expert in social marketing and behaviour change. He is committed to reducing health inequalities and amplifying the voice of lived experience in policy and practice. Luke is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Behaviour Change Collaborative and is the Chair of The BCC Impact. Throughout his career, he has advised organisations such as the World Health Organisation, the European Commission, and the Australian, British, US and Scottish governments. Luke served as a director of the National Social Marketing Centre (UK) and as a technical advisor to the Strategic Review on Health Inequalities in England.
Recent projects include improving youth mental health, climate change, addressing gender inequality and violence against women, teen vaping, road safety and early childhood development. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and the Australian Marketing Institute and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin and Griffith Universities.
Luke's talk:
Do we really need to change the world? Rethinking the playbook
Ten years ago, I established The Behaviour Change Collaborative to improve the lives of people and the planet. Like many other change agents, I wanted to change the world. And I wanted to do so at scale. The BCC is now a globally recognised brand, and by most metrics, it’s thriving. But notwithstanding our success, I’ve come to see that some of the goals I set were unnecessarily lofty.
This presentation explores the ways in which we can have a positive impact on the lives of others, regardless of the size and scale of the programs we deliver. It includes tips on how to influence behaviour at the population level, and reflections on how we can deliver meaningful change in small, yet profound ways, through our approach to program design and delivery. Examples will be drawn from projects Luke has worked on across health, social cohesion, sustainability, and environmental protection.
Luke's talk is scheduled for Session 1 on Day 1: Thursday, October 19 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
About Ricki Hersburgh:
Ricki is a dynamic executive manager with over 25 years’ experience in environmental sustainability, waste resource management and the not-for-profit sector. An avid ocean lover, Ricki is passionate to imbue generational change to ensure our blue planet can endure the ongoing impact of human activity on aquatic life.
The discussion panel that Ricki is on is scheduled for Session 5 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Session 5: Discussion panel plus Q&A
No Time To Waste
For too long, our planet has been taken for granted. Join us for an extension of Plastics Oceans Australasia’s ‘No Time To Waste’ series, where experts from government, construction, and health sectors discuss successful behaviour change programs, challenges, and lessons learned. Engage in the Q&A to discuss how Australia is reducing waste and creating a sustainable future.
About Trent Zimmerman:
In the Parliament, Trent served as Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport and led several major inquiries into aspects of the Australian health system. At various stages he was a member of the House Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Cities and Transport, the House Committee on Environment and Energy and the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. In Parliament, Trent was a strong advocate on climate and environment issues, innovation, health and, as the first openly gay Member of the House of Representatives, LGBTI+ issues.
The discussion panel that Trent is on is scheduled for Session 5 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Session 5: Discussion panel plus Q&A
No Time To Waste
For too long, our planet has been taken for granted. Join us for an extension of Plastics Oceans Australasia’s ‘No Time To Waste’ series, where experts from government, construction, and health sectors discuss successful behaviour change programs, challenges, and lessons learned. Engage in the Q&A to discuss how Australia is reducing waste and creating a sustainable future.
Option 5
A Social Marketers Guide to Being Visibly Reflexive
Reflexivity is vital for effective social marketing. However, the persistent calls for social marketers to engage in more reflexive practices suggest that we are not doing it well. Most social marketers are reflexive, but this reflexivity is not always systematic and visible in our projects and outputs.
This workshop provides guidance and tools for how to do and embed visible reflexivity in your social marketing practice. First, participants will learn about intersectionality, positioning and unbracketing and use these learnings to write their own researcher standpoint statement. Second, participants will work through exercises in the ‘Social Marketers Reflexive Playbook’ that will be provided to participants before the workshop.
The workshop will incorporate a variety of interactive elements to engage participants, including informative facilitator presentations, individual activities, and collaborative small group discussions. Participants will learn the benefits and practical strategies for implementing visible reflexivity in social marketing.
Participants will learn:
- How to do visibly reflexive practice
- That reflexive practice should be systematic, visible, and incorporated into their projects and outputs
- To identify and understand their own perspectives and biases, and how these can influence their work in social marketing
Presented by
Professor Maria Raciti (Kalkadoon-Thaniquith/Bwgcolman) is a passionate social marketer whose research interests are at the intersection of educational equality and Indigenous peoples. Maria is Co-Director of the UniSC Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre and Co-Leader of the Education and Economies Theme in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures.
Option 4
Promoting Lasting Behaviour Change: The Power of Behavioural Spillover
Behavioural spillover occurs when making a change in one behaviour leads to changes in other related behaviours. Preserving a sense of choice and autonomy is a cornerstone of creating behavioural spillover. You will use our practical online tool to assess spillover levels and incorporate spillover-inducing components into your interventions. Learn how you can improve the efficiency of your interventions and empower individuals to make lasting changes.
Through engaging, interactive group activities and case studies, you'll learn how to assess your interventions for spillover levels and identify critical improvement areas. We will guide you through the skills and techniques in creating interventions that give participants choices and inspire them to willingly engage in (or even promote) behaviour change programs.
Investing in and developing spillover-inducing interventions will increase the chances of sustained behaviour change. Take advantage of this opportunity to transform how you approach behaviour change and achieve lasting results!
Participants will learn:
- The value and purpose of including spillover-inducing components in your interventions
- How to assess interventions for the likelihood of behavioural spillover using our online spillover assessment tool
- Techniques for increasing likelihood of behavioural spillover in your behaviour change interventions to achieve the outcomes you are looking for
Presented by

Dr Sebastian Isbanner is a research fellow at Social Marketing @ Griffith and executive committee member of the Australian Association of Social Marketing. His research focuses on the promotion of societal and planetary health, which includes research projects on healthy eating in schools (e.g., increase of fruit and vegetable intake in school-aged children), sustainable food choice in workplace settings (e.g., directing foods towards healthy, climate-friendly dishes), and programs aimed at the reduction of single-use plastics. Sebastian is particularly interested in how behaviour change interventions targeting one behaviour can spill over into other, related health or sustainable behaviours, thereby maximising intervention efficiency, fostering broader lifestyle changes and long-term impact. Sebastian has expertise in the design, evaluation, and improvement of social marketing programs, which have produced real-world impacts for clients.

Alieena is a dedicated and accomplished researcher in the field of social marketing with a focus on encouraging voluntary behaviour change. She holds a first-class Marketing Degree (Honours) from RMIT University and is currently a 2nd year PhD Candidate at Social Marketing @ Griffith, conducting research in partnership with Plastics Oceans Australasia. In addition to her PhD research, Alieena also works as a Research Assistant and Sessional Tutor at Griffith University. Alieena's research interests centre around understanding how to encourage voluntary behaviour change, particularly in the areas of environmental conservation and human health. Her current PhD research focuses on the reduction of single-use plastic consumption, a pressing issue with significant environmental and health implications. Alieena has also worked on several other notable projects, including a Plastic Waste Project with The Green Technology Centre in Korea, the Conservation of Box Gump Grassy Woodlands, and programs aimed at preventing obesity and child sexual abuse and violence.
About Jaeneen Cunningham:
Jaeneen Cunningham is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience in financial services, including investment and retail banking. She has owned several businesses and currently serves as Executive Director of Safe Haven Community and Director of Etairos Finance. Jaeneen has received numerous awards for her contributions to various fields, including The Women in Business - Social Justice Award and Women in Finance - Manager of the Year.
As the Executive Director of Safe Haven Community, Jaeneen has played a crucial role in providing short-stay community accommodation to women and children leaving abusive relationships. With the help of other Directors, staff, and volunteers, Safe Haven has helped over 13,000 women and children find safety and provided more than 90,000 nights of accommodation. Currently, Jaeneen is overseeing the construction of a Safe House in Queensland, which will offer longer-term shelter to women and children in need.
Jaeneen's talk:
Details coming soon.
Jaeneen's talk is scheduled for Session 3 on Day 1: Thursday, October 19 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
About Steve Menzies:
Together with his business partner, Jane Gibson, Steve has developed Flinch Marketing into a successful international business that uses social marketing to increase community resilience and wellbeing, particularly in the Pacific Islands region. Today, Flinch supports a network of more than 40 staff and contractors from over 15 countries who are all working together with communities to develop solutions based on local needs and aspirations. As a key part of its work Flinch is also using social marketing principles to support regional and national efforts to strengthen ecosystem resilience, food security and community wellbeing across the Pacific region. Key clients include: the Pacific Community (SPC); the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP); the Pacific Island Forum; the World Bank; the World Meteorological Organization and a number of UN agencies.
Steve's talk:
Building a Successful Social Marketing Business in the International Development Sector
For many social marketers the greatest challenge they face is how to convince clients to invest in developing sustained behaviour change solutions when the competition is offering shiny short-term solutions wrapped in fancy packaging. In 2015 I co-founded Flinch Marketing with the belief that we could create a successful international business that could help communities to co-design solutions, influence upstream policy and system change, and create direct employment opportunities for thousands of people from developing countries. This presentation explores how we can help to achieve positive behaviour change outcomes by changing the way we approach the “business of behaviour change”. It explores how we need to reframe the process of social marketing by showing how we can simultaneously work to achieve positive behavioural and economic opportunities communities, staff, suppliers, and funder.
Steve's talk is scheduled for Session 1 on Day 1: Thursday, October 19 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
About Yas Grigaliunas:
Yas Grigaliunas, Founder and Chief Evangelist of Circonomy (formerly: World’s Biggest Garage Sale (WBGS)), is an energetic and authentic entrepreneur of impact.
She is a circular economy pioneer, driving this industry forward by innovating and mobilising multiple stakeholders towards a shared vision, all while providing social good. Yas is an advocate for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and an accomplished keynote speaker, leader and creator of innovation and producer of Change.
An entrepreneur of impact and a circular economy pioneer in Australia, Yas recently closed a $4M equity capital raise to expand nationally, with Officeworks as a key investor and shareholder. Together, through expansion of reuse, repair, resource recovery and re-commerce initiatives, Yas is thrilled to work with partners and investors to bring the next phase of growth, seeing her Circonomy vision come to life.
Yas' talk:
Details coming soon.
Yas' talk is scheduled for Session 2 on Day 1: Thursday, October 19 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
About Joni Avram:
Joni Avram, JD, MSc, is a social impact strategist and behavioural scientist whose company, Cause & Effect, has supported initiatives in philanthropic, business, government and not-for-profit sectors. Combining social science with marketing public relations, Joni specialises in helping organisations lead large-scale public facing campaigns that engage supporters and produce tangible results. She is a sessional instructor in social marketing and business communication at Ambrose University. A lawyer by training, she holds a Masters in Behavioural Science from the London School of Economics.
Joni's talk:
What We’re Getting Wrong About Doing Good
Well-meaning efforts to make the world a better place often do not make it better, and can even make it worse. When social change goes wrong, it can harm people and organisations, undermine trust in change leaders, and lead to greater social division. Learn why social change efforts backfire, how to avoid the most common mistakes, and proven strategies for success.
Joni's talk is scheduled for Session 3 on Day 1: Thursday, October 19 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Option 2
What We’re Getting Wrong About Doing Good
Well-meaning efforts to make the world a better place often do not make it better, and can even make it worse. When social change goes wrong, it can harm people and organisations, undermine trust in change leaders, and lead to greater social division.
Combining a presentation, real-world case studies, and group work, participants will learn why social change efforts backfire, how to avoid the most common mistakes, and proven strategies for success.
Participants will learn:
- How to avoid the most common mistakes, and proven strategies for success
- Why social change efforts often backfire
- The most common mistakes
- The real drivers of behavioural and social change
- Why measuring progress and impact are keys to success
- How to apply this framework to their own work starting right away
Presented by
Joni Avram is a social marketer and behavioural scientist whose company, Cause & Effect Marketing, has supported social impact initiatives in philanthropic, business, government and not-for-profit sectors. Combining social science with marketing public relations, Joni specialises in large-scale public facing campaigns that produce measurable results. She is a sessional instructor in social marketing and business communication at Ambrose University. A lawyer by training, she holds a Masters in Behavioural Science from the London School of Economics.

About Jim Hogan:
Jim Hogan is an innovator, a human rights activist and a strong representative of what is possible for autistic individuals. Jim found his passion for computer science and innovation at a young age and has since worked in leadership positions for over 30 years. With his powerful voice and advocacy for acceptance, he has led the way for hundreds of autistic individuals who entered the workforce behind him.
Jim wears multiple hats at Google including his roles as the Chief Innovation Evangelist, Google Cloud and as Vice President, Accessibility in Technology for Google's Disability Alliance. Jim is also a doctoral candidate at Griffith University and his thesis is entitled “Innovating innovation methodology through neuroinclusion”.
The discussion panel that Jim is on is scheduled for Session 4 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Session 4: Discussion panel plus Q&A
Nothing About Us Without Us
Learn about the challenges change makers have experienced in their decades of fighting for inclusion. This panel will share the barriers they’ve faced in physical access, sport, education, and work. They will show how storytelling and breaking down silos have enabled inclusion but will remind us there is a long way to go.
About Brad Kinsela:
Brad Kinsela is presently the Executive Director of Safeguards and Reform at the Queensland Department of Seniors, Disability Services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DSDSATSIP).
For over 20 years, Brad has been a highly regarded senior executive working across numerous Queensland and Australian Governments departments including the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Throughout this period, Brad has led many high-level negotiations, reforms, policy development, and many projects of significance in Queensland.
Known for his passion, commitment and experience on upholding human rights and social responsibility and inclusion, Brad has been an influential participant in the development and implementation of policies and practices in many sectors, industries community and government.
Coming from a background of disability and human rights advocacy, lobbying, and community-based human services and practice, it is not surprising that Brad has maintained his connections, profile, and commitment to living in a society that values, services and embraces all members of communities.
The discussion panel that Brad is on is scheduled for Session 4 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Session 4: Discussion panel plus Q&A
Nothing About Us Without Us
Learn about the challenges change makers have experienced in their decades of fighting for inclusion. This panel will share the barriers they’ve faced in physical access, sport, education, and work. They will show how storytelling and breaking down silos have enabled inclusion but will remind us there is a long way to go.
About Katie Kelly:
Katie Kelly OAM PLY is a Diversity and Inclusion Advocate and, a 2x Paralympian who was the first Australian to win a Gold medal in the sport of Paratriathlon at the Rio Paralympics in 2016. She was also the World Champion in 2015 and 2017 and retired after the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
In 2017, Katie established, Sport Access Foundation, which provides sporting grants to young Australians living with a disability.
Katie’s career includes marketing and communications with organisations such as the NRL, ANZ Stadium, NT Government and Tabcorp. She sits on a number of committees and board, including as an Industry Fellow with Griffith University’s Inclusive Council. She is an Ambassador the National Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability and works in a Social Inclusion role for a ASX listed company.
Katie's journey of living with a genetic condition, Usher Syndrome, is one of tenacity and grit. Katie speaks to the significant and confronting challenges of this condition which results in hearing and eyesight loss.
Katie has a BA from Griffith University and Masters of Business from University of Technology, Sydney.
Change 2023 topic:
Details coming soon.
About Kelsey Chapman:
Kelsey is the research lead and PhD candidate of The Dignity Project at Griffith University. She specialises in disability research, inclusive research methods, and dignity theory. Kelsey and her team were nominated for a Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science in 2022.
The discussion panel that Kelsey is on is scheduled for Session 4 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Session 4: Discussion panel plus Q&A
Nothing About Us Without Us
Learn about the challenges change makers have experienced in their decades of fighting for inclusion. This panel will share the barriers they’ve faced in physical access, sport, education, and work. They will show how storytelling and breaking down silos have enabled inclusion but will remind us there is a long way to go.
About Kevin Cocks:
In his role leading the Accessible Transport Network (ATN), Kevin will actively advise and support TMR and partners to deliver our vision of 'a single integrated transport network accessible to everyone.'
Kevin Cocks AM is a well-respected champion of human rights and until recently he was the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner. After sustaining a spinal injury as a young person, Kevin has made it his business to ensure no one is left behind.
He brings a wealth of experience to this role, with his expertise focused on protecting the principles of dignity and equality for everyone and striving towards a more inclusive society for all. He has dedicated his life to fighting for an inclusive, accessible and diverse Queensland through legislative and policy reform and State-wide advocacy.
Amongst his plentiful awards, standouts include the Order of Australia (AM) 2010, Australian Human Rights Medal 2005 and the Centenary Medal 'for distinguished service to disability services in Queensland' in 2003.
The discussion panel that Kevin is on is scheduled for Session 4 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Session 4: Discussion panel plus Q&A
Nothing About Us Without Us
Learn about the challenges change makers have experienced in their decades of fighting for inclusion. This panel will share the barriers they’ve faced in physical access, sport, education, and work. They will show how storytelling and breaking down silos have enabled inclusion but will remind us there is a long way to go.

A/Prof Sameer Deshpande
Managing Director, Social Marketing @ Griffith
Associate Professor, Department of Marketing, Griffith Business School
Griffith University
About Sameer Deshpande:
Over two decades, in the area of ‘marketing for a better world,’ Sameer has taught, widely published in academic journals, books, and conference proceedings, reviewed, and trained and consulted with government and non-profit organizations in India, Canada, Singapore, Australia, and the U.S. He is the Editor of Social Marketing Quarterly. Sameer has raised over three million dollars and published studies testing the effectiveness of behaviour change initiatives using social marketing frameworks with particular emphasis on consumer-insights approach in a variety of contexts, including climate change, financial services to disadvantaged women, alcohol abstinence during pregnancy, safe sexual practices, promotion of alternative rides, responsible drinking, water rights, and physical activity. His current projects include promoting digital finance among the poor in Indonesia and Bangladesh, co-designing climate-ready solutions with Tweed Shire residents, and evaluating a sexual health promotion initiative in the Lismore area.
Sameer's talk:
How can Academics and Practitioners Collaborate to Solve Wicked Problems?
As we face enormous social challenges with increasingly fewer resources, academic-practitioner cooperation can enhance the ability of social change agents to design and deliver better behaviour change initiatives. This presentation will highlight the benefits and caveats of such partnerships, describe successful case studies, and propose strategies to create effective alliances.
Sameer's talk is scheduled for Session 6 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
About Renae McBrien:
Renae McBrien is the Environment Consultant for Children’s Health Queensland. She also works as a radiographer, with over 25 years of clinical health experience. Renae McBrien is passionate about building sustainability into our health care system and has worked across many Brisbane hospitals to design waste out of health. Her work to value waste as a resource has converted waste into a revenue stream for Qld Health.
Renae’s work has recently been featured on the ABC War on Waste TV series which captured over 4 million views worldwide. She has been awarded the 2019 and 2020 Brisbane City Council Waste Innovation Award and the 2021 Brisbane City Council Waste Champion Award.
The discussion panel that Renae is on is scheduled for Session 5 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Session 5: Discussion panel plus Q&A
No Time To Waste
For too long, our planet has been taken for granted. Join us for an extension of Plastics Oceans Australasia’s ‘No Time To Waste’ series, where experts from government, construction, and health sectors discuss successful behaviour change programs, challenges, and lessons learned. Engage in the Q&A to discuss how Australia is reducing waste and creating a sustainable future.

Prof Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
Founding Director, Social Marketing @ Griffith
Griffith University
About Prof Sharyn Rundle-Thiele:
Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele applies marketing to improve people’s health and wellbeing and to protect the planet. She founded Social Marketing @ Griffith and co-founded the Journal of Social Marketing. She is Vice President of the International Social Marketing Association (ISMA). Sharyn has co-created behaviour change programs. Her projects deliver outcomes and impact including removing leaves from waterways, improved social connections for adolescents, reduced koala deaths from dog attacks by 40%, reduced koala deaths from car strikes by 83% and more. She has published more than 240 books, book chapters and journal papers. Awards and appointments including The Philip Kotler Social Marketing Distinguished Service Award and the Australian New Zealand Marketing Academy Fellow acknowledge her innovative, high-quality practice and science and her leadership.

A/Prof Julia Carins
Strategy Director, Social Marketing @ Griffith
Griffith University
About A/Prof Julia Carins:
Dr Julia Carins is an Associate Professor in Social Marketing at Griffith University. Dedicated to driving positive change, Julia has partnered extensively with industry and government to research, develop and implement social marketing programs. Her work focuses on creating supportive environments, fostering collective action towards systemic change, and creating engaging individual behaviour change strategies, which collectively increase the impact of change programs. By blending academic expertise, practical experience, and an empathetic approach, Julia’s focus is enabling and empowering people to give their best and live their best and creating a world that allows them to do so.
About Ryan Collins:
After nearly a decade working in the banking and finance industry, Ryan was drawn to a career in environmental conservation that saw him work in Sydney, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji in diverse roles such as operations, monitoring and evaluation, threatened species and sustainable agriculture. With a background in psychology and environmental management, Ryan’s role at Planet Ark since 2012 has been focused on developing engaging and positive environmental behaviour change programs to help individuals, businesses, government and schools transition to a circular economy. This suite of initiatives includes the Australian Circular Economy Hub, Australasian Recycling Label, Cartridges 4 Planet Ark, RecyclingNearYou, and National Recycling Week.
Ryan's talk:
Details coming soon.
Ryan's talk is scheduled for Session 2 on Day 1: Thursday, October 19 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.

Dr Liz Foote
Research Fellow, Social Marketing @ Griffith
Griffith University
About Dr Liz Foote:
Dr Liz Foote is a Research Fellow at Social Marketing @ Griffith. She has a background in marine science, environmental education, communications, and public engagement. Liz spent nearly two decades working as a conservation practitioner before discovering social marketing, which inspired her to focus her doctoral research on the uptake and diffusion of social marketing as an innovative practice within environmental contexts. She situates herself somewhere between the practitioner and academic worlds within the “pracademic” realm. As an early career researcher with practitioner expertise, she’s keen to support all forms of academic/practitioner partnerships in social marketing.
Liz's talk:
Details coming soon.
Liz's talk is scheduled for Session 6 on Day 2: Friday, October 20 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.

Cr Fiona Cunningham
Civic Cabinet Chair for Finance and City Governance & Councillor for Coorparoo
Brisbane City Council
Director
Small Steps 4 Hannah
About Cr Fiona Cunningham:
Fiona Cunningham is proud to work with residents, charities, small businesses, clubs, schools, environment, and community groups in her role, representing more than 45,000 people in the Ward of Coorparoo. Fiona is the Civic Cabinet Chair of Finance and City Governance as well as a Director for the Small Steps for Hannah Foundation. She has become an advocate alongside local residents Sue and Lloyd Clarke, who have fought for the criminalisation of coercive control and promoting healthy and respectful family relationships. Fiona has been a finalist in the Australia-wide McKinnon Prize, which recognises outstanding political leadership and inspires leaders to deliver a positive impact to their communities. With two young boys keeping her focused on a better Brisbane for tomorrow, Fiona is passionate about striking a balance between affordability and livability.
Fiona's talk:
Details coming soon.
Fiona's talk is scheduled for Session 3 on Day 1: Thursday, October 19 2023. Click here to view conference agenda.
Social Marketing @ Griffith
Delivering evidence-based research and impact is what we do best. We are the world’s largest university-based social marketing centre. We work in partnership with social change practitioners, thinkers, and scientists to ensure that people and our planet come first. Our work continues to deliver significant health, environmental, and social benefits in Australia and abroad.
More about SM@G